Complete 

cAuction Bridge 

for 1922 




The Game 
The Play 
The Bidding 
The Laws 



Price 50 Cents 





Book__ '.- '^ 



COPYRIGHT DEPOSm 



FIVE ESSENTIAL 
CONVENTIONS 

J. An Initial One No Trump bid 
must be a hand a little better than the 
average in high cards with three suits 
guarded. 

2. An Initial One Major Suit bid 
must have length and strength^ with four 
sure tricks for attack, or two sure tricks 
for defense or support. 

3. An Initial One Minor Suit bid 
must have two quick tricks in the suit 
named. It is informative only, and the 
bidder does not desire to play it through. 

4. Doubling an Initial One Major 
Suit bid tells the partner the Doubler 
is hopelessly weak in that suit, but other- 
wise has a good ISo Trump hand. 

5. Doubling an Initial One No 
Trump bid tells the partner the Doubler 
has a Two No Trump, and leaves action 
to him. 



Complete 

^Auction Bridge 

for 1922 



■ by 
S; S; CARVALHO 



-^ 



The Game The Bidding 
The Play , The Laws 



■« 



CURRENT BOOK CO., Inc. 

140 CEDAR STREET 
NEW YORK 






l,Ai^^. ^ 



Copyright, 1922 

By Current Book Co., Inc. 

All Rights Reserved 



Printed in the United States of America by 

The CAREY PRINTING CO. INC. 
New York 

©CI.A659572 
APR 12 1922 



FOREWORD 

The writer has endeavored to make a clear 
presentation of Auction Bridge, comprehensible 
to beginners as well as to those experienced in 
the game. The conventions selected are gen- 
erally accepted by the large majority of good 
players. Where there exists any real difference 
of opinion, both sides are presented, with the 
writer's reasons for the view adopted. 

The purpose of this book is to standardize the 
game among average players, and its price has 
accordingly been made so as to put it within the 
reach of all. Some detail has been sacrificed to 
simplicity and clearness, but nothing really essen- 
tial has been omitted. 



Complete Auction Bridge for IQ22 J 

PART I 

THE GAME 

Auction Bridge is a variation of the game of 
Whist in which bidding decides whether the 
play shall be with or without a Trump, along 
with the privilege to the Dealer of playing both 
his own and his partner's hands. 

A full deck of cards is used, the deuce count- 
ing lowest and the other cards ascending in value 
to the ace, which is highest. The highest card 
takes any trick, except in the instance of its being 
trumped, trumps always winning over the other 
suits. 

There are four players who cut for partners, 
the lowest two playing against the highest two. 
If cards of equal value are drawn the players 
must cut again. Lowest deals. Ace is lowest in 
cutting. 

The Trump or No Trump is decided by decla- 
ration or bidding. The dealer has the first bid 
and is followed by the players to his left. When 
nobody bids there is a new deal. 

Bidding Optional 
It is optional with the players whether they 
bid Spades, Hearts, Diamonds, Clubs, No 
Trump or pass. After any player makes a 



8 Complete Auction Bridge for IQ22 

declaration the other three players each has a 
say, and can overcall, double or pass. A player 
may not overbid his own declaration when it is 
passed up to him. 

When all players have finally passed the high- 
est declaration stands. The player, who started 
it, plays both his own and his partner's hand, the 
latter being placed face upward on the table. 
The exposed hand is called the Dummy. It is 
not laid down until the first card is led. 

The points made in the games played are 
recorded in a trick score and an honor score. 

No Trump tricks have the highest value and 
are followed by Spades, Hearts, Diamonds and 
Clubs in order named. One No Trump over- 
calls one in Spades or one of any suit of lower 
trick value. One in Spades overcalls one in 
Hearts or in any other suit, and so on. Two of 
any suit of lower trick value overcalls one in No 
Trump or any suit of higher trick value. For 
example: Two in Clubs is required to overcall 
one in No Trump, or Spades or Hearts or Dia- 
monds, and so on through the list. 

Thirty Points a Game 
Thirty or more points made by trick values 
constitute a game. The number of tricks neces- 
sary to make these thirty points, depends upon 
whether the winning declaration calls for No 
Trump or for one of the four suits. 



Complete Auction Bridge for IQ22 9 

The first six tricks taken by the side having 
the declaration make a book. The seventh trick 
and those following are called the odd trick or 
odd tricks. 

The value of each trick above the book is, No 
Trump, 10; Spades, 9; Hearts, 8; Diamonds, 7; 
and Clubs, 6 points. 

To make game the Declarer must, as a mini- 
mum, take in addition to the book, 3 tricks in No 
Trump, 4 in Spades or Hearts and 5 in Dia- 
monds or Clubs. Spades and Hearts are called 
the major suits and Diamonds and Clubs the 
minor suits. 

Rubber is Best of Three Games 
The rubber is the best of three games. If the 
first two games are won by the same players, the 
third game is not played. The bonus for win- 
ning the two games of the rubber is 250 points. 
The Ace, King, Queen, Jack and Ten in the 
trump suit constitute the honors, which individ- 
ually are of equal point value. Their collective 
value is : 3 honors in one or both hands have the 
value of 2 tricks ; 4 honors in both hands have the 
value of 4 tricks; 4 honors in one hand have the 
value of 8 tricks ; 4 honors in one hand and one 
honor in the partner's hand have the value of 9 
tricks; 5 honors in one hand have the value of 10 
tricks. Three honors are called Simple Honors. 
To illustrate : 3 honors in Clubs count 2 tricks 



lO Complete Auction Bridge for IQ22 

or 12— the value of each Club trick being 6. 3 
honors in Spades count 2 tricks or 18 — the value 
of each Spade trick being 9, and so on. 

In a No Trump game only Aces are counted. 
Three Aces held between partners count 30, 4 
Aces held between partners count 40; 4 Aces in 
one hand count 100. 

Honors in Suit hands and Aces in No Trumps 
are always counted for the side having them, 
whether it is the Declarer's or not. 

Grand Slam and Small Slam 
When one side takes the whole 13 tricks it 
makes a Grand Slam, and a bonus of 100 is added 
to the honor score, in addition to the value of 
the seven tricks in the Trick score. When it 
takes 12 tricks, 50 points are added in the Honor 
score, in addition to the tricks in the Trick score. 
This is called a Small Slam. 

When a hand has been played through and the 
Declarer makes his contract or better, he gets for 
his Trick score the value of all the tricks made 
over and above the book. If he fails to make his 
contract, that is the number of tricks of his 
declaration, he gets nothing for the tricks he has 
made, while his adversaries get in the Honor 
score as penalties, 50 points for each trick less 
than the declaration. Or if the declaration was 
doubled by the adversary, then the penalty is 100 
points for each trick short of the contract, and if 



Complete Auction Bridge for ig22 il 

redoubled 200 for each deficient trick. These 
penalties go in the score above the line along 
with the honors and bonuses. 

Doubling and Redoubling 

When an adversary of a Declarer believes the 
declaration can be beaten he ''Doubles." This 
means that if the Declarer loses, the penalty for 
each lost trick becomes 100 points instead of 50. 
If the Declarer makes his contract he gets double 
value for each trick called for by the contract 
and in addition a bonus of 50 for making his con- 
tract. Also, for every trick over his contract he 
gets an additional bonus of 50 points. 

Should the final Declarer after being doubled, 
have confidence enough in his hand, he can re- 
double. This means if he makes his contract he 
gets 100 bonus, and four times the value of each 
contracted trick, and for every trick he makes 
above his contract he gets 100. If he fails to 
make his contract, his adversary scores 200 
points for every trick less than the number called 
for by the contract. A player may not double his 
partner's bid. 

When a declaration is doubled or redoubled 
it is optional with the Declarer whether he will 
accept or change his declaration to a higher one. 
In such instance each of the three other players 
has also another say. 



12 Complete Auction Bridge for ig22 

The value of honors, grand slam or small slam 
are not affected by doubling or redoubling. 

Keeping the Score 

The score is kept on a card or sheet of paper 
with a line running from top to bottom forming 
two columns and a double line cutting these two 
columns across. The scores of the two com- 
peting sides are recorded separately in these col- 
umns. Below the double line are only written 
the values of the tricks taken. This is called the 
Trick score. 

The trick values only are used in counting 
game. 

Above the double line are recorded the points 
for honors, bonuses and penalties. This is called 
the Honor score. 

At the conclusion of a rubber all the points in 
both Trick and Honor scores for each set of 
partners are added up, and the difference goes 
to the side which has the greatest number of 
points. Each of the winning partners receives 
the full amount of the points won, which is paid 
by each of the losers. 

For example : A and B are partners, and their 
adversaries are Y and Z. A goes 3 No Trump 
and makes his contract. These three tricks, of 
10 points value each, gives him 30 points or 
game, and 30 points are placed in his side's trick 
score below the line. He has three Aces which 



Complete Auction Bridge for IQ22 13 

give 30 points for honors, which go above the 
line in the honor score. 

If he had made only two odd tricks, they 
would not be counted and he would be penalized 
50 for the lost trick. This fifty would go above 
the double line in his adversary's honor score. 

In the next deal, A declares 3 Spades and 
makes them. He gets 27 in his trick score and 
18 for honors in his honor score. In the follow- 
ing hand his adversary Y, holding 5 honors, de- 
clares 4 Hearts and makes them. Y gets 32 in 
his trick score and 80 for honors in his honor 
score. A and Y each now has a game. In the 
fourth hand Y with 3 honors gets a declaration in 
Hearts and loses by one trick. A gets 50 points 
penalty which go in his honor score. Y gets 16 
for his honors. 

In the next hand Y wins on a 4 Spades declara- 
tion with 3 honors, making game and rubber, 
which gives him 36 points in his trick score and 
18 in the honor score, and the bonus of 250 for 
winning the two rubber games. 

These figures totaled give for the Rubber A 
and B 155 points and Y and Z 432 points. The 
difference is 277 which Y and Z win, A paying 
Y the value of 277 points and B paying Z the 
value of 277 points. 



14 Complete Auction Bridge for ig22 



Score card with record of described rubber. 



PLAYERS 


PLAYERS 


AandB 


YandZ 


HONOR 


SCORE 


5? 
i8 

30 


18 
16 

80 


TRICK SCORE 


30 

27 


36 


155 


432 




277 



Complete Auction Bridge for IQ22 15 

PART II 

THE BIDDING 

FIVE ESSENTIAL BRIDGE 
CONVENTIONS 

"Convention" is a very comprehensive term 
used more by the English writers on Auction 
Bridge than by those in this country. As it will 
appear frequently throughout this book it may 
be well to define it. 

The Century dictionary says : "General agree- 
ment, tacit understanding, common sense as the 
foundation of a custom." 

Its definition as directly applied to bridge is 
thus expressed by an English writer: 

"Rules in bridge which have emerged by de- 
grees from the welter of all sorts of conflicting 
ideas, in the course of which the pros and cons 
of each of them have been anxiously considered 
and warmly debated by persons best qualified to 
judge their merits." 

There are comparatively few conventions for 
auction bridge bidding, but what there are 
should be carefully studied, and rigorously ob- 
served. In clubs or circles where the same in- 
dividuals convene for play they soon become 
habit. But in chance gatherings or in general 



1 6 Complete Auction Bridge for IQ22 

play there are often many who know nothing 
about them, which detracts from the pleasure of 
the occasion. 

It is considered within the bounds of Bridge 
Etiquette, to inform the table before a game be- 
gins, what conventions you use. Of course you 
cannot give them all, but there are five, the fail- 
ure to observe any one of which, may create con- 
fusion as well as cause loss in points. 

We refer to Initial Bid Conventions and In- 
formative Doubles, which are subjoined. If you 
copy them out and use them as occasion prompts, 
you will do much to standardize the game, and 
help along good playing: 

Five Essential Conventions 

An Initial One No Trump bid must be a 
hand a little better than the average in high 
cards with three suits guarded. 

An Initial One Major Suit bid must have 
length and strength, with four sure tricks for 
attack, or two sure tricks for defense or sup- 
port. 

An Initial One Minor Suit bid must have 
two quick tricks in the suit named. It is in- 
formative only, and the bidder does not desire 
to play it through. 

Doubling an Initial One Major Suit bid 
tells the partner the Doubler is hopelessly 



Complete Auction Bridge for IQZZ 17 

weak in that suit, but otherwise has a good No 

Trump hand. 

Doubling an Initial One No Trump bid 

tells the partner the Doubler has a Two No 

Trump, and leaves action to him. 

With these five conventions observed, it is 
amazing how much better the game will pro- 
ceed. Do not forget that the whole structure 
rests on the Initial Bids. They give information 
that forms the plan of campaign. Never deceive 
your partner by violating the conventions gov- 
erning them. He is entitled to know the true 
strength of your hand. Never misinform him. 



1 8 Complete Auction Bridge for IQ22 

RELATIVE HANDS AND 
CARD VALUES 

A knowledge of the relation of hands to one 
another and the trick values of high cards is essen- 
tial to the playing of Auction Bridge. The first 
of these is readily acquired. The latter is more 
difficult. Cards have combination values as well 
as individual values. Both vary with conditions. 

There are, however, some card values fixed by 
averages and experience that have become stand- 
ard. For instance, an Ace may be reckoned as 
one sure trick. An Ace King of the same suit, 
two sure tricks. King Queen, one sure trick; 
because if the Ace takes one, the other remains 
highest. A King, guarded by one or two small 
cards, is counted as half a trick, because it stands 
to lose as many times as to win, depending on 
whether the adverse Ace is on the left or right. 

A Queen or Queen Jack guarded is of doubt- 
ful value, owing to the uncertainty of a suit going 
around three times untrumped. In No Trump 
hands they may be reckoned on. 

Here is the table of standard values of high 
cards: 

Ace, King, x =2 tricks 

Ace, Queen, Jack = 2 + ^' 

King, Queen, Jack =2 — '^ 

Ace, Queen, Ten == i>^ '' 



Complete Auction Bridge for IQ22 19 



King, Queen, Ten 


= i^ tricks ^ 


Ace, Jack, Ten 


= iy2 '' 


Ace, Queen, x 


I trick 


Ace, Jack, x 


— I ^^ 


King, Queen, x 


I " 


King, Jack, x 


= /2+" 


King, X X 


— V2 "■ 


Queen, Jack, x 


— V2—" 



The Value of Small Cards 

Small cards are more or less valuable, depend- 
ing upon conditions. When Trumps they are 
always valuable. The difference between 
Trumps and Plain Suits is illustrated this way: 
A Trump suit with Ace, King and five small is 
worth six tricks. A Trump suit with Ace, King 
and one small is worth two tricks. A plain suit 
with Ace, King and five small may be worth only 
one trick. A plain suit with Ace, King and one 
small is worth two tricks. The reason for the 
difference is that the high cards of a plain suit 
with many small are liable to be trumped. 

In a No Trump hand when a suit is estab- 
lished, the small cards in it become trick makers. 
The same plain suit conditions also exist in a 
Trump hand after the Trumps have been ex- 
hausted. A blank suit or Singleton with Trumps 
for ruffing is always counted on for one or more 
tricks in any hand but the Declarer's. 



20 Complete Auction Bridge for IQ22 

Combination Value of Uncertain Cards 
Uncertain cards in a player's hand, while 
weak by themselves, taken in combination with 
those of his partner, may become sure trick win- 
ners. For instance, a Declarer holds King, Jack 
and two small, the average value of which by 
themselves is less than one trick. His partner 
holds Ace, Queen. This lifts their collective 
value to four tricks. 

The position of the player also affects the 
values of his cards, as may be illustrated by a 
King with an adverse Ace on his right or on his 
left, making the King worth one trick or nothing 
at all. 

Values in an Assisting Hand 
It is more puzzling for the third player to cal- 
culate the trick value and assisting value of his 
hand, when the Declarer has been overcalled 
in a Trump declaration, and he is put in the posi- 
tion of raising or passing. The number of small 
trumps, blank suits, singletons, doubletons, as 
well as honors and side suit strength, have all got 
to be considered. The values of these are as 
follows : 

Blank suit with trumps for ruffing. . .2 tricks 
Singletons with trumps for ruffing. . . i trick 
Doubletons with trumps for ruffing. .>4 ^' 

Three small trumps ^ 

One honor and one small trump >4 " 



Complete Auction Bridge for IQ22 21 

One honor and 2 small trumps. . . . i J^ tricks 
Two honors and two small trumps . . 2 " 
Four or more small trumps without 

short suits to ruff i trick 

Except in No Trumps guarded Queens are 
not safe to reckon on, and five small trumps in 
the Dummy are of no greater value than four, as 
the excess fall to the Declarer's leads. 

Estimating the values in the hand of the De- 
clarer's partner in a No Trump is very different, 
and is explained further on. 

The Relation of Hands 

The player should also become familiar with 
the general run of hands as related to one 
another, which can be done quite simply and 
without outside assistance. 

Shuffle and cut a deck of cards in the usual 
way. Then deal around the table as if there 
were four persons really present. Pick up each 
hand by itself, beginning with the dealer, sort it 
and make declarations one after another, just as 
would be made in a regular game. This done, 
spread all the hands face upward on the table, 
when you will get a good ocular demonstration 
of the relations of the individual hands to one 
another, as well as a fair idea as to the wisdom 
of the declarations you have made. From time 
to time play the hands through. 



22 Complete Auction Bridge for IQ22 

BIDDING DEFINED AND 
CLASSIFIED 

In Auction Bridge the cards represent 60 per 
cent of the game, bidding 30 per cent and play 
10 per cent. This means that correct bidding is 
three times as important as the play. If you bid 
more tricks than you can possibly take, the most 
brilliant play in the world will not win your 
contract. 

There are two general classifications of bids 
or declarations, namely. Free Bids and Forced 
Bids. 

A Free Bid is where the player makes a vol- 
untary declaration such as the Initial Bid of the 
dealer or the player on his left. (Initial Bids 
and Free Bids are used synonymously in this 
book.) 

Any bid that overcalls or assists a previous bid 
is a Forced Bid. 

There is also a variety of bid that has no par- 
ticular classification, namely, the first round bid 
made by the third or fourth player after the 
dealer and his left have passed. This bid is not 
governed by the Initial Bid conventions, for al- 
though voluntary, it is influenced by the indi- 
cated weakness of the preceding hands. 

Secondary Bids are Forced Bids made in the 
second round after a pass in the first. They are 



Complete Auction Bridge for IQ22 23 

generally strong Major suit declarations which 
do not come up to the regulation standard, and 
have been held back to avoid giving misinforma- 
tion. 

Free Bids are governed by conventions, that 
is, fixed rules. Forced Bids are not conven- 
tional. They show the number of tricks, which 
with the partner's assistance may win the decla- 
ration, but are otherwise not informative. 



24 Complete Auction Bridge for IQ22 

TRICK MAKEUP OF 
INITIAL BIDS 

As there are thirteen tricks in every hand, the 
average for each player should be 3^ tricks. 
Of course, this is not the case always, but if you 
try several hundred deals and tabulate the re- 
sults you will find it comes out about this way. 
For the sake of convenience the fraction is elim- 
inated and three tricks is the quota taken as the 
standard. 

This is the only guide that the Initial bidder 
has as to what support he may expect from his 
partner. He sees that his own hand has four 
sure tricks. This being somewhat better than 
the average, indicates that his partner's hand 
may have less than the average. 

Experience has demonstrated that the partner 
may be credited with two tricks. He may have 
fewer or more, but anyway two tricks estimated 
assistance is the standard. 

These two and the bidder's own four tricks 
total six. The privilege of playing one's own 
and the Dummy's hand is calculated as one trick, 
although often worth more. Here then are the 
seven tricks calculated on for an Initial Major 
suit bid of one. 



Complete Auction Bridge for IQ22 25 

Tricks in Bidder's hand 4 

Partner's tricks 2 

Trick value of playing both hands i 

Total 7 

With No Trump bids there is a difference. 
You have here three guarded suits which are 
roughly calculated as three tricks. This leaves 
an additional trick to be made up. But the ele- 
ment of loss of high cards by trumping is elim- 
inated, so the trick quota on account of playing 
both hands is increased to two, the greater pro- 
motion value of the combined high cards being 
also a factor. The seven tricks in a one No 
Trump are made up this way: 

Tricks in Bidder's hand 3 

Partner's tricks 2 

Trick value of playing both hands 2 

Total 7 

Initial One Minor suit declarations are merely 
informative indicating two sure tricks in the 
suit named. 



26 Complete Auction Bridge for IQ22 

THE THREE CLASSES OF 
INITIAL BIDS 

As already stated the dealer has the privilege 
of bidding first. If he passes, the call goes to 
the player on his left, and so on around. The 
first bids of the dealer and the player on his left 
are Initial or Free Bids, and the same conven- 
tions govern them. When both of these players 
pass and the say goes to the third or fourth 
player conditions have altered, and these latter 
bids, while seemingly voluntary, are really out- 
side of the category of Free Bids. 

Initial Bids are made with No Trump or in 
Major suits or Minor suits. 

There are writers who insist that the Initial 
Bids of Major and Minor suits should be treated 
alike, and as if they both were to be played even- 
tually as final declarations. Also that the same 
conventions should govern them. On the other 
hand, it is argued that the paramount idea in 
bridge is to make game, and as eleven tricks are 
necessary for game in a Free Minor suit bid, it is 
better to use the Minor suit initially as a guide 
to the Partner for a No Trump or a Major suit. 
Indeed, this is the view of the majority and is 
the standard adopted here. 



Complete Auction Bridge for IQ22 27 

Minimum Initial Bids of One 

A minimum Initial one No Trump declara- 
tion represents about a Queen's strength better 
than the average hand with three guarded suits, 
and tells the partner he can depend on three 
tricks or better, either for defense or assistance. 
It says if the partner can help the Bidder would 
like to play out the declaration. 

A minimum one Major suit declaration in- 
forms the partner of four sure tricks if the suit 
is Trump, or two sure tricks for defense or sup- 
port. It also expresses the hope that the suit 
will go through as Trump. 

An Initial one Minor suit declaration offers 
assistance to the partner in case he can go to No 
Trump or some Major suit. It says, '^I have 
two sure tricks in the suit named. Take me out 
in any instance." 

Bids of Two or More 

There are Initial bids of two, three or more 
in all of the classes named except Minor Suit 
Declarations where there should be no bid of 
two or three. All Free Bids over two are pre- 
emptive, and indicate the Declarer expects to go 
game. 

Details of these and other Initial Declarations 
are gone into fully later on under their regular 
classifications. 



28 Complete Auction Bridge for IQ22 

FREE OR INITIAL MAJOR SUIT 
DECLARATIONS 

The Initial one Major suit declaration is the 
best average free bid, although the No Trump 
requires one trick less for a game score. There 
is always, however, a risk in a No Trump that 
equalizes the disadvantage of having to make 
the additional Trump trick. 

The Major suit bid should have both length 
and strength, and conform to the accepted con- 
vention. That is, an Initial Major Suit Bid of 
one must have four tricks for attack or two for 
defense or assistance. It says to the Partner: ^'I 
can make four tricks with my suit as Trump. If 
you shift or double you may count on me for two 
quick tricks." 

The minimum Major bid should have five 
cards headed by Ace King, with or without side 
suit strength. Or five cards topped by an Ace or 
a King and a Minor honor, along with one sure 
trick on the side. This sure trick must be an 
Ace, a King Queen of the same suit, or two 
Kings well guarded. 

Four Card Major Suit Bid Risky 

Some writers consider a suit of four cards 
headed by Ace, King, Queen with or without 
side suit strength, a sound One Major Suit Bid, 



Complete Auction Bridge for ig22 29 

claiming that it fulfils the convention require- 
ments, namely four tricks for attack and two 
tricks for defense or assistance. 

While this interpretation is technically cor- 
rect, it is really unsound, because there is too 
much chance of one of the adversaries having 
more Trumps than the Declarer, w^hich is a tre- 
mendous advantage. Besides, if the Declarer 
is forced in Trumps he is entirely gone. Besides 
even if Dummy has a good plain suit there are 
not enough Trumps in the Declarer's hand for 
proper reentry, to say nothing of the adversaries' 
trumping possibilities. 

If the Declarer has four cards headed by Ace, 
King, Queen, w^ith side suit strength, then the 
play in all probability would be better at No 
Trump. 

Even while we consider a hand with five cards 
topped by Ace King, but without side suit 
strength, a sound One Major Suit Bid, we can- 
not deny that it is weak. However, it should 
always be called. 

This table gives the minimum strength for a 
One Major Suit declaration. 

Ace, King and three small. 

Ace, Queen, Jack and two small. 

King, Queen, Jack and two small. 

Ace and four small with one side quick trick. 

King, Queen and three small with one side 
quick trick. 



30 Complete Auction Bridge for IQ22 

As explained before, the side suit quick trick 
is an Ace, or King Queen of the same suit, .or 
two well guarded Kings. 

Bids of Two or More 

If without side suit strength the suit is six 
cards with two sure top tricks you may start with 
a bid of two, and so on, with one additional for 
every additional Trump. 

With side suit strength support it is better to 
start with a bid of one. 

The following is a table of suit lengths, 
headed by Ace King, Ace Queen Jack, or King 
Queen Jack without side strength. 

5 cards — Initial Major suit bid of one. 

6 cards — Initial Major suit bid of two. 

7 cards — Initial Major suit bid of three. 
With eight or nine cards you have a freak hand 

and should preempt with a bid of 4 or 5 as judg- 
ment dictates. 

It is advisable, with a hand, the only strength 
of which is Trumps, to go the limit on the first 
bid. Bidding one at the start and then raising 
to two or three in the succeeding rounds is not 
good play. 

Suits Headed by a Queen 
Long Major suits headed by Queen Jack or 
Queen Ten with good side suit support, are often 
better trick makers than those recorded above. 



Complete Auction Bridge for ig22 31 

but they cannot be bid as Initial one suit decla- 
rations, because the partner would expect one or 
more Major honors in the declared suit and the 
usual proffer of No Trump assistance. Hands 
of this kind therefore come under the head of 
Major suit bids of two. 

Some authorities are violently against this, 
and advise holding back until the second round. 
The risk of losing the declaration, however, 
seems too great Suppose for instance you hold 
Queen Jack and four or five small Hearts, and 
you have on the side an Ace Queen in a Minor 
suit. You pass up the call for the second round. 
In the meanwhile an adverse bid of three Spades 
is made. Your partner knows nothing of your 
hand and passes. You, knowing nothing about 
his, cannot risk calling four Hearts. And your 
chance of game is lost. 

Major Suit Bids of One, Two or More 

An initial declaration of One indicates length 
with Major honors, and assistance for a No 
Trump. 

A declaration of Two indicates length with 
Major honors but no side suit strength, or length 
without Major honors with side suit strength. 
They do not invite a No Trump. 

Declarations of Three or more are preemp- 
tive and indicate long suits with Major honor 
strength. 



32 Complete Auction Bridge for ig22 

It will be observed that the second of the 
above classifications covers the Initial two 
Major declaration of Ace King and four small 
with no side strength, as well as the long suit 
headed by Queen Jack, with side strength. 

Free bids with Jack Ten, Jack or Ten with 
five or six small and an Ace King of a side suit, 
although worth five tricks with the long suit as 
Trump, should be held for the second round. 

Here are some examples of one, two and three 
Initial One Suit Bids, the Trump being Spades: 

Spades — Ace King and three small. 

Hearts — Three small. 

Diamonds — Three small. 

Clubs — Two small. 

This is a minimum bid of one but is not very 
strong. 

Spades — Ace King and Three small. 

Hearts — King and Two small. 

Diamonds — Two small. 

Clubs — ^Three small. 

This is a good average bid of one. It is half 
a trick stronger than the minimum requirement. 

Spades — Ace, King and Four small. 

Hearts — Two small. 

Diamonds — Three small. 

Clubs — Two small. 

This represents five sure tricks and is an initial 
bid of two. 



Complete Auction Bridge for IQ22 33 

Spades — Ace, King and Five small. 

Hearts — Two small. 

Diamonds — Three small. 

Clubs — One small. 

Bid Three Spades at once. With any other 
Trump and an adverse declaration, not more 
than one quick trick can be counted on. 

In all of the preceding examples Ace, King 
and small is practically of equal strength with 
Ace, Queen Jack and small, or King, Queen 
Jack and small. 

Spades — -Queen, Jack and four small. 

Hearts^ — Two small. 

Diamonds — Ace, King, one sm^all. 

Clubs — Two small. 

Start with Two Spades. 



34 Complete Auction Bridge for IQ22 

NO TRUMP DECLARATIONS 
MADE CLEAR 

Many players are at sea as to what really con- 
stitutes a sound Initial one No Trump declara- 
tion. They look over their cards, find no long 
Major suits, and bid No Trump, because they 
see several face cards and perhaps an Ace. It 
may be a sound No Trump and may be not. One 
is as likely as the other. 

A sound one No Trump hand must have a 
little more than average high card strength with 
three guarded suits. Experience shows that 
greater strength should equal the value of a 
Queen. 

There are two good methods of calculating 
No Trumpers. One is by the Robertson rule, 
which is universally accepted by the English 
Bridge writers and in London Clubs. The other 
method is based on the scale used in Auction 
Pitch, and which, although both sound and 
simple, is put forward by only one American 
writer. It is approved and used, however, by 
many good players. 

The Robertson rule makes Aces count 7 points, 
Kings 5, Queens 3 and Jacks i. Under it three 
guarded suits with 19 points is a sound one No 
Trump. The average hand should contain the 
equivalent of an Ace, King, Queen and Jack, 



Complete Auction Bridge for IQ22 35 

which would count up 16 points in all. An ad- 
ditional Queen value of 3 makes up the neces- 
sary 19 points. 

A Simple Rule for No Trumpers 
The rule based on the Auction Pitch scale 
mathematically figures out exactly the same as 
the Robertson rule. Since it is the easier of the 
two to remember we have adopted it here. Under 
it Aces count 4 points, Kings 3, Queens 2 and 
Jacks I. All the Aces and face cards in a deck 
total up to 40 points. The numbered cards are 
not considered. An average hand is one-fourth 
of forty, which is 10 points. The additional 
strength of a Queen being 2 points, a sound Ini- 
tial one No Trump under this rule is 12 points 
with three guarded suits. 

A guarded suit is an Ace, a King with one 
small card, a Queen with 2 small, or a Jack with 
3 small. Some players consider that the Queen 
should have 3 small to be really protected, and 
that one of the 3 cards accompanying the Jack 
should be a Ten. This is not unreasonable, but 
if followed strictly would reduce the number of 
No Trump declarations without a corresponding 
advantage. In counting the points for your No 
Trump hand add up the value of every face card, 
whether it is or is not in the unguarded suit. 

As above stated 12 points with three guarded 
suits is a sound Initial one No Trump. Eleven 



36 Complete Auction Bridge for I()22 

points with two guarded suits is a weak No 
Trump. It is only a Jack value above the aver- 
age hand instead of a Queen value. 

For a two No Trump add the equivalent of an 
Ace or four points to your standard one No 
Trump making 16 points. That is, the equiva- 
lent of one additional sure trick. 

Unless you are an experienced player two suit 
No Trumps are too risky, as you must depend on 
your partner for both your weak suits. The odds 
are about four to one against his being strong in 
both. Incidentally, the weaker a player is, the 
more caution he should observe in his bidding. 

Examples of Sound One No Trump 

Here are several sound one No Trump decla- 
rations, based on three guarded suits with the 
face cards counting 12 points. 

Spades — Ace and two small. 

Hearts — Ace and three small. 

Diamonds — Three small. 

Clubs — Ace and three small. 

Each Ace counting 4, the 3 Aces make up the 
12 points, with the 3 suits guarded. 

Spades — Ace and two small. 

Hearts — King and two small. 

Diamonds — Queen, Jack, and three small. 

Clubs — Queen and one small. 

Here the 12 points are made up of one Ace, 
4; one King, 3; two Queens, 2 each; and one 



Complete Auction Bridge for IQ22 37 

Jack, I, with 3 suits guarded. 

Spades — King, Queen and one small. 

Hearts — King and two small. 

Diamonds — Queen, Jack and two small. 

Clubs — Jack and two small. 

There is no Ace in this hand, but it is still a 
sound one No Trump declaration. 

It seldom is advisable to make an Initial bid 
of more than one No Trump even if the points 
count enough for a higher declaration. It is 
better to wait. 

Major Suits Better Than No Trumps 

If you have a hand in which all four suits are 
guarded, a No Trump bid is better than a five 
card Major suit bid. If, however, your Major 
suit contains more than five cards, topped by 
Ace, King, then it might be better to bid the 
Major suit. 

Some writers maintain that it is always best 
to bid the No Trump first, as it shuts out all suit 
declarations of One, and deprives the adversa- 
ries of making one suit bids, which might be 
worked up into strong combination two or more 
suit bids. The player, in considering this, how- 
ever, should also weigh the advantage that a suit 
declaration in point of information gives his 
partner over a No Trump declaration, and the 
risk which always accompanies a No Trump. 



38 Complete Auction Bridge for IQ22 

MINOR SUIT FREE BIDS IN- 
FORMATIVE ONLY 

No good player should want to try for game 
with a Minor suit trump if there is any chance 
for a Major suit or a No Trump. To make 
eleven tricks is a large contract, and the penal- 
ties are the same for all sets. When you pick up 
your hand and it indicates one or two with a 
Minor suit play, it is best to wait till the Forced 
Bids begin and then base your call on strategy 
or as conditions warrant. 

The Conventions in Minor suit declarations 
differ from those of No Trump and Major suits, 
because the important thing in Bridge is to win 
games, and the percentage of games won with 
Minor suits is relatively small. Don't forget that 
if you win the rubber games there is large re- 
ward. The first, or second game when three are 
played, is worth 125 points, and the deciding 
game worth 250 points. The average value of 
an undoubled game, aside from any rubber 
bonus, is about 60 points. This makes the stake 
for each undeciding rubber game 185 points and 
for each deciding game 310 points. 

Initial Minor suit bids, therefore, should not 
be made with the idea of the suit becoming a 
final declaration. They are of value in inform- 
ing the partner he can depend on two sure tricks, 



Complete Auction Bridge for IQ22 39 

and that the suit called is fully protected should 
he want to go to No Trump. It also indicates a 
lead should the adversaries win the playing of 
the hand. 

Free Diamond or Club Bids 

A Free Bid of one Diamond or Club should 
indicate a suit of three or four headed by Ace 
King (side suit strength not essential) or Ace 
Queen Jack, or King Queen Jack with one addi- 
tional quick trick. 

If the suit is longer than four, say five or six, 
the winning value of the top cards, from an as- 
sistance standpoint, is not sound, because the 
chances are about one in three that the adver- 
saries may have a Singleton, which makes the 
two trick support uncertain. 

There should be no such thing as an Initial 
two or three Minor suit declaration, as these are 
firm bids for the Minor suit as Trump. Neither 
indicates that the Bidder expects the eleven 
tricks necessary for the Minor trump game, and 
at the same time they may drive the partner, who 
knows that less than five per cent of incomplete 
game scores win, into excessive Major suit or 
No Trump contracts. 

If you pick up a freak hand in Diamonds or 
Clubs with great length and strength and feel 
sure of going game, preempt it by bidding four 
or five on the jump. 



40 Complete Auction Bridge for IQ22 

With six points or over to the good in a game 
a player may make an Initial Bid in a Minor suit 
just as if it were a Major suit at love, because the 
tricks necessary for game are equalized. 

Minor Suits in Forced Bidding 
When the bidding becomes forced, and the 
fight is on, the Minor suits come to the front 
Anything may be better than letting your oppo- 
nents get the declaration. Minor suits are great 
also in other strategy. You can bluff with them 
more safely than with Major suits or No Trump, 
because your adversaries are always afraid about 
doubling a Minor suit bid. Realizing that a 
doubled three Clubs or Diamonds means game, 
they are often driven into contracts higher than 
they can make. 

You should only take your partner out of a 
No Trump declaration with a Minor suit as a 
rescue if your hand is practically a bust and you 
have not less than five Diamonds or Clubs. Or, 
when you feel sure that by changing to the 
Minor suit the combined hands can take eleven 
tricks; that is, make game. 



Complete Auction Bridge for IQ22 41 

SECOND PLAYER'S FREE AND 
FORCED BIDS 

In the instance of the dealer not bidding, and 
the Initial declaration going on to the second 
player, the latter is bound by the same conven- 
tions as control the Dealer's bidding. Therefore, 
practically all that has been said regarding Ini- 
tial declarations of the Dealer applies equally to 
those of the second player. 

But when the Dealer has made a bid, condi- 
tions change. The second player is not then 
bound by the conventions controlling Initial dec- 
larations. His is a Forced bid governed by the 
number of tricks he can take. 

If the Dealer has bid one Heart, the second 
player should have four tricks for an overcall of 
one Spade. If he overbids with two Diamonds 
or two Clubs he should have five tricks. If he 
has a long suit game hand, there is no reason why 
he should not make a shut-out bid of three, four 
or five. '^•, !^| 

If the Dealer has called No Trump, and the 
second player has a solid Minor suit with a re- 
entry, he should pass with the hope of a set. 
With a solid Major suit and good side strength 
he should overcall. 



42 Complete Auction Bridge for ig22 

Informative Doubles 

The Informative Doubles are the prerogative 
of the second player. For example : The Dealer 
goes one No Trump. The second player has 
also a good No Trump. This would indicate high 
card weakness in the hands of the third or fourth 
player. The second player, therefore, being un- 
certain as to his partner's support, instead of 
calling two No Trumps, doubles. This signals 
to the partner that he has a two No Trump hand, 
but fears to call it without hearing from him. If 
the partner has the necessary support he can bid 
two No Trump. Otherwise, he should make a 
rescue with his longest suit. 

Again, the Dealer bids one Spade. The 
second player has a No Trump hand with all 
the suits protected but Spades, of which he has 
only two or three small. He doubles the one 
Spade. This tells his partner he is hopelessly 
weak in Spades, and if the partner has Spades 
stopped twice, to go No Trump. If not, to bid 
his longest suit, even if it is only four cards. 

The second player when overcalling a one No 
Trump with a suit bid should have length as 
well as strength. Five cards should be the mini- 
mum length. When doubling a one No Trump 
he should have five tricks. 



Complete Auction Bridge for ig22 43 

THIRD PLAY AND THE DECLAR- 
ER'S PARTNER 

Should the privilege of the Initial declara- 
tion pass to the third player he has the advan- 
tage of knowing that his partner's hand is aver- 
age or less, and he should be guided accordingly. 
In declaring he must have a trick better for of- 
fense than he would if he were the dealer or 
second player. He is not bound, however, by 
the Initial Bid Conventions and his declaration 
is not regarded as informative. 

If the second player has made the Initial bid 
the third player may in this situation be guided 
by the instructions given under ''Second Play." 

The third player's position is hardest where 
the second hand has overcalled, and he is play- 
ing partner to the Initial bidder. The real and 
the assisting value of his hand are difficult to 
disentangle. He must consider Blank suits. 
Singletons, number and character of the 
Trumps, in addition to his high cards. Also the 
relationship of his hand to his partner's call and 
the overcall of the second player. 

Two Tricks Already Counted On 

The trouble with too many players is when 
it is up to them to assist or pass, they overlook 
the fact of their partner, in his bid, having al- 



X 



44 Complete Auction Bridge for IQ22 

ready counted on them for two tricks and possi- 
bilities, and they often raise the declaration on 
tricks already included in the original bid. 

As stated before, an Initial one Major suit bid 
means seven tricks, four in the Bidder's hand, two 
in the partner's hand and one through playing 
both hands. In a one No Trump the Bidder has 
three tricks, the partner credited with two and 
the play of combined hands two. 

In both instances two tricks and the advan- 
tages of playing the combined hands have been 
discounted. Therefore, the Declarer's part- 
ner should have at least three tricks in his hand 
before raising his partner's bid. 

In a Trump suit declaration the decision 
whether to assist or not is affected by the number 
and character of the Trumps. The partner has 
already been credited by the Declarer with an 
average Trump holding, that is, three small 
Trumps or two Trumps, one of which is an 
honor. If he has not these Trump values, even 
if he has side suit strength, it is always a question 
whether he should not shift the suit or pass. 

If he has no Trumps at all, or only one, even 
with other strength, he should certainly do so, 
as the probabilities are that the adversaries are 
the longer in Trumps. So if he names his own 
suit or goes No Trump, the combined hands may 
do better than assisting the Declarer. Besides, if 



Complete Auction Bridge for IQ22 45 

the Declarer's Trumps are long enough he can 
bid them in again on the second round. 

Deceptiveness of Five Small Trumps 

On the other hand, if he has four or five small 
Trumps and little or no side strength, he should 
not be led into raising on them, for in most in- 
stances some of them will fall to the Declarer's 
higher Trumps. 

For example take a hand where partner's 
Trump suit strength is average, that is, 3 small 
or an honor and one small. These Trumps are 
worth exactly one-half a trick, so the partner 
must have in addition an Ace and a side guarded 
King, which are counted one and one-half tricks, 
or three guarded Kings, which at one-half a 
trick each also counts up one and one-half tricks. 

However, here are only the two tricks that the 
Declarer has already reckoned on. To raise the 
bid one the partner must have in addition the 
value of one trick more. If he has a Blank suit 
or a Singleton with his three Trumps he may 
count on an additional one or two tricks. A 
Singleton Ace would mean two tricks. 

When the Dealer bids and the second hand 
passes, the third player must consider whether 
his hand comes up to the support his partner has 
calculated on, and whether he should assist or 
pass or shift the bid. If it is a Major suit decla- 
ration, the number and character of his Trump 



46 Complete Auction Bridge for IQ22 

is a deciding factor. Should he be shy of 
Trumps or have only one, if he can reasonably 
shift to another suit or No Trump, he should 
do so, as a preponderance of Trumps in an ad- 
verse hand is apt to be fatal. If he selects some 
other suit, the combined hands may prove better 
from a Trump standpoint, and the original suit 
become a big trick winner after the adverse 
Trumps have been pulled out. 

Assisting Hand Examples 

Here are several examples of Declarer's part- 
ner's hands. Declarer having bid one Heart and 
been overcalled with one Spade: 

Spades — Four small. 

Hearts — Three small=J^ trick. 

Diamonds — King and two small=>4 trick. 

Clubs — Ace and two small=i trick. 

This hand has only the two tricks already 
counted on. Pass. If the Declarer raises go 
from two to three, because this shows he has un- 
usual strength. 

Spades — Three small. 

Hearts — Three small=>^ trick. 

Diamonds — Ace, King and two small:=2 
tricks. 

Clubs — King and two smail=:>4 trick. 

There are three tricks here, one over the esti- 
mate. Raise bid one. 

Spades — King and two small=>4 trick. 



Complete Auction Bridge for IQ22 47 

Hearts — Queen and one small=^ trick. 

Diamonds — King, Queen and two small=i 
trick. 

Clubs — Ace and three small=i trick. 

The extra trick is here. Raise one. 

Spades — Two small. 

Hearts — Four or fi^t small=i trick. 

Diamonds — King and two small=^ trick. 

Clubs — Four small. 

Pass. The trick value is only a little more 
than iy2. 

Spades— None 1 _ . , 

Hearts— Four small J ~~ ^ ^^^^^^• 

Diamonds — King and three small=^ trick. 
Clubs — Queen and four small. 
Raise partner's bid one. 

Spades— One small 1 ^ ^ tricks 
Hearts — Four small f 

Diamonds — Ace and three small=i trick. 

Clubs — Four small. 

The extra trick is here. Raise one. 

For No Trump Assistance 
When the Declarer has bid one No Trump, 
and has been overcalled, the partner should not 
bid two No Trumps, unless he has the adverse 
Trump suit stopped twice and three side suit 
tricks besides. If the overcall is two Hearts and 
he has five Spades with a top honor he may bid 



48 Complete Auction Bridge for IQ22 

two Spades, leaving the say about a No Trump 
increase to the original Declarer. If the over- 
call is two Clubs or two Diamonds, under the 
same conditions, he may bid two Hearts. Should 
the overcall be two Spades, the partner should 
have one sure side trick in addition to his five 
Trump suit, to make a bid of three. 

Some good players say that the partner should 
not raise a No Trump unless he has a good aver- 
age hand with all four suits protected. 

In a one No Trump declaration, and no over- 
call, with a good average hand the partner 
should pass. 

Where the partner has little or no high card 
assistance, he should rescue his partner by bid- 
ding his longest suit regardless of strength, pro- 
vided it has ^Yt cards. With less than five cards 
he should pass, as otherwise his side would only 
have an additional trick to make good. 

With a Major suit of both length and strength, 
if the partner sees game, he should shift to this 
suit. 

Never take out a No Trump with a Minor 
suit unless your hand holds seven sure tricks, and 
even then consider whether you might not make 
more at No Trump. 



Complete Auction Bridge for IQ22 49 

REGULATING FOURTH 
HAND BIDDING 

The bidding of the fourth hand is regulated 
by information gained through the bidding or 
passing of the three who have preceded him. He 
can make an Initial declaration on strength or 
length of Trumps without having two tricks for 
defense or support. 

If the Initial bid is made by the second hand 
(his partner) then he may be guided by the pre- 
ceding information given under ^'Third Play 
and Declarer's Partner." 

When the dealer, the second and third players 
have all passed, and the fourth player has a bor- 
der line bid of one, the chances are that he will 
not count much more than one. Therefore, with 
a love score it is best for him to save time by also 
passing, because only about five per cent of in- 
complete scores go game. 



50 Complete Auction Bridge for IQ22 

THE GREAT VALUE OF 
PREEMPTIVE BIDS 

When you have a long suit and feel, that with it 
as Trump, you have a real chance of going game, 
and at the same time want to shut out competi- 
tion, you can preempt a declaration by making 
an Initial bid of three or more. This tells your 
partner to let you alone unless he has a game 
hand in a higher valued declaration. 

Bids of this kind are called "preemptive" or 
"shut outs." They often win by preventing the 
adversaries working up to high declarations 
through knowledge of each other's strength. 

For example : The dealer starts with a call of 
four Hearts; the second player has a sound 
Spade bid of one or two, and his partner has as- 
sistance enough to lift to four Spades. The 
second player cannot bid four Spades and passes. 
His partner knowing nothing about his strength, 
and also unable to bid four Spades without as- 
sistance, also passes. The dealer consequently 
gets the declaration and goes game. 

If your hand is of a general character and you 
do not fear an adversary's call in a No Trump 
or a suit of high value, it is safer to bid one and 
avoid the risk of a set. 



Complete Auction Bridge for ig22 51 

DOUBLES— INFORMATIVE 
AND BUSINESS 

There are two kinds of Doubles — Informative 
and Business. 

The Informative Double always calls a one 
trick declaration, and differs from the Business 
Double, in that the doubler has no idea that it 
will stand, but wants to signal his hand to his 
partner. 

The Business Double is made to get increased 
penalties, the caller believing the adversaries 
contract can be defeated. It is for declarations 
of two or more. 

There is an Informative Double for No 
Trump and another for Major suit declarations. 
These are usually made by the second player 
after the dealer has declared. 

For example: The dealer calls one Spade 
and the player on his left doubles. This says to 
the doubler's partner, ^'I would have a good No 
Trump hand if my Spade suit were protected. 
If you can stop Spades twice, declare one No 
Trump. If you are also weak in Spades take me 
out by bidding your longest suit even if it is only 
four cards with no top strength.'* 

When the dealer bids No Trump and the 
second player doubles, it says to his partner, ''I 
also have a good No Trump hand and might go 
two No Trumps. I would rather wait, however, 



52 Complete Auction Bridge for IQ22 

and leave the declaration to you. If you have a 
good average hand bid two No Trumps, or pass 
for a set. If you have a good suit bid declare it. 
If you have a weak hand, bid in the longest suit 
you have." 

For the one No Trump double your hand 
should be a trick stronger than the conventional 
initial one No Trump declaration. 

The Informative Doubles were originated by 
Mr. Bryant McCampbell, and are among the 
most brilliant conceptions in Auction Bridge. 
They are well set forth in his excellent book 
^'Auction Tactics." 

Business Doubles 

A Business Double is seldom made when the 
declaration is less than three, as it takes six tricks 
to set the two contract. 

The doubler should have three sure tricks 
and possibilities in his own hand for doubling a 
three declaration; two tricks and possibilities in 
doubling a declaration of four, and one trick and 
possibilities in doubling a declaration of five or 
over. He depends on his partner for the neces- 
sary additional tricks. 

There are other doubles, among them the 
Confusing Double and the Bluff Double, which 
Mr. McCampbell also ably describes in his 
^'Auction Tactics." 

The Confusing Double is made to confuse the 



Complete Auction Bridge for ig22 53 

Declarer as to the position of adverse high cards. 

The Bluff Double is made against a declara- 
tion which you cannot defeat, the purpose being 
to bring the adversaries into a declaration they 
had previously made, and which you believe you 
can defeat. 

When there is a question of trying for the 
rubber game or doubling your adversary, it is 
best to try for the rubber, unless you feel sure 
you will get more than 300 points through 
doubling. 



54 Complete Auction Bridge for IQ22 

SOME DECLARATION MAXIMS 

One of the popular fallacies in Auction Bridge 
is the belief of some players, that an Initial One 
Minor Suit bid arbitrarily invites a No Trump 
declaration by the partner. This is not so. It 
simply tells the partner that you have two sure 
tricks in the suit named with possible side 
strength, which he can either utilize for a No 
Trump or in any other way that may better suit 
his hand. 

The inexperienced player should be more 
cautious in bidding than those more familiar 
with the game. When in doubt he should 
promptly pass, waiting for further information, 
which is bound to be furnished as the bidding 
progresses. 

If you are strong in two suits bid that of the 
higher value first, even if it is slightly weaker. 
Afterwards bid two of the lower value suit, so 
that your partner can shift to your first declara- 
tion without raising the contract. 

Do not open the bidding with No Trumps 
unless your hand is such that you reasonably ex- 
pect to make the contract. The very light No 
Trump, so much in vogue, is a mistake. 

The most deceptive and dangerous bid is with 
a suit headed by King, Jack. With Ace Queen 
on the wrong side your adversary has the advan- 
tage. 



Complete Auction Bridge for IQ22 55 

There should be no such thing as a two or 
three Minor suit Initial bid, as they are invita- 
tions to play the hand through, with no certainty 
of making the eleven tricks necessary for game. 

After the Initial bid work your Minor suits 
in your declarations for all they are worth, in 
order to encourage your partner and for forcing 
the opponents into contracts they cannot fulfill. 

Many players are condemned for overcalling 
but few for undercalling. One is as bad as the 
other. 

If your partner bids Diamonds or Clubs, 
always move to a Major suit or a No Trump, 
whether you have support or not in his call, but 
if he calls Spades, Hearts or No Trumps, never 
move if you have a good support, unless you feel 
you have practically certain game. 

Raise on your own hand, not on your partners. 
Raising on insufficient strength is as much a 
mistake as failing to raise with good assistance. 

Initial Bids are governed by arbitrary rules 
which state the minimum number of tricks the 
bidder can make and what he has for support 
and defense. It is only when you have equally 
sound bids in two suits that the matter of judg- 
ment enters. 

With rubber games tied a player is justified in 
taking extraordinary risks. 



^6 Complete Auction Bridge for ig22 

Do not make a declaration where the risk of 
loss is great, and the prospect of game small. 

If your partner indicates that he has two suits 
in his hand, always shift him into the one in 
which you have the greatest number of cards. 

Do not overbid your partner with a Minor suit 
unless sure of making game. 

Never make an Initial bid of more than one in 
a Major Suit when strong in both Major suits. 

Having a solid holding of Diamonds or Clubs 
with a One No Trump declaration on the right, 
pass, because in the instance of the declaration 
going through, you can probably save the game 
or set the contract; whereas, if you bid the suit 
you are liable to drive your adversaries into a 
Major suit declaration. 



Complete Auction Bridge for IQ22 57 



PART III 

THE PLAY 

The intricacies of the play in bridge are in- 
numerable, and in a book of instructions too 
much detail in their presentation does more 
harm than good. The purpose of this little 
work is clearness and simplicity, to give informa- 
tion that can be easily comprehended and read- 
ily applied. We shall, therefore, endeavor to 
eliminate everything not absolutely essential. 

To begin with, the Declarer has contracted to 
make a certain number of tricks with his own 
and his partner's cards. The business of the 
opposing players is to prevent this and set the 
contract. 

The Declarer should always have game as his 
goal, even if his contract calls for One only. 
With any reasonable possibility of game he 
should not hesitate to risk his contract. 

Conversely the opponents should direct their 
energies first to save the game and then to de- 
feat the contract. 

After the Dummy's hand is spread out the De- 
clarer should size up the situation and determine 
his plan of action, which differs in the case of 
Trumps or No Trump. 



58 Complete Auction Bridge for IQ22 

In a Trump suit hand the immediate decision 
is whether Trumps should be led at once or held 
for developments or ruffing. 

There is not much difference in the handling 
of the winning cards of the plain suits, whether 
the hand is Trumps or No Trump. The sure 
tricks are obvious. Good play consists in mak- 
ing tricks with cards not obviously winners. 

The two factors for this are, first, finessing; 
second, establishing a suit. Finessing is where 
with a broken sequence you attempt to win a 
trick with not your best card. It is taking a 
chance to make two tricks where only one is sure. 

Establishing a suit is by eliminating all the 
high cards in the partner's and adversaries' 
hands so that the smaller ones are trick win- 
ners, and at the same time holding reentry cards 
for leads to play them. 



Complete Auction Bridge for ig22 59 

DECLARER'S PLAY WITH 
TRUMPS AND NO TRUMPS 

With a Trump suit declaration, as stated 
before, the Declarer should make up his mind 
whether it is best to play Trumps as soon as he 
gets the lead, and pull out all of those held by 
his adversaries, or whether there is a chance of 
making more tricks by not playing Trumps 
through ruffing and cross ruffing. There is con- 
siderable danger in adopting the latter of these 
propositions through possibility of the adver- 
saries being able, also by ruffing, to make other- 
wise worthless Trumps. It is here that judg- 
ment and nerve are necessary. 

The Declarer should endeavor to turn Dum- 
my's small Trumps into tricks by ruffing, but 
should do nothing (except in unusual instances) 
to weaken his own Trump suit strength. He can 
rely on the adversaries forcing his Trumps 
whenever possible, and he should not help them. 

When an adversary starts forcing the Declarer 
on Trumps it is sometimes better when not over 
strong to let him take the trick or tricks and dis- 
card useless cards, which might prove disadvan- 
tageous when the Declarer again gets the lead. 

Often there are situations arising in the early 
part of the play which might be affected through 
Trumps being out. Therefore, the Declarer 



6o Complete Auction Bridge for ig22 

should not make the mistake of leading Trumps 
too soon. 

Declarer at No Trump 

The Declarer in a No Trump hand has to rely 
more on making uncertain cards. He should 
first count up the sure tricks in his own and the 
Dummy's hand, and calculate the number he 
must make through strategy, finessing, and the 
establishing of his long suit. At the same time 
he must not overlook his weak suit, lest his ad- 
versaries establish that against him and thereby 
set his contract. 

He must compare the finessing possibilities of 
his own hand and of the Dummy's and with this 
in view manipulate his leads so always to play 
from the weaker up to the stronger. 

In selecting a suit to establish he should take 
the one in which the number of cards is greatest 
in both his own and Dummy's hands. If he has 
tw^o suits of equal strength, select the one where 
the cards are not evenly divided. Get out the 
high cards of the shorter suit first, so that when 
the suit is established the lead will be in the 
longer hand. When the cards break even, it is 
not so good, but the same tactics must be fol- 
lowed. Avoid blocking the Declarer's hand 
with Dummy's high cards or vice versa. 

It is always best to keep a reentry in the hand 
holding the long suit, and if possible, one in the 
adversaries' suit. 



Complete Auction Bridge for IQ22 6 1 

THE ADVERSARIES' LEADS 
AND PLAY 

With a Trump Declaration the adversaries 
rely on their high cards and make them with as 
little delay as possible. The idea is not to have 
them frozen up by waiting too long. Length of 
suit is often a disadvantage through the danger 
of the high cards being ruffed. 

For the opening lead (which is always made 
by the adversary to the left of the Declarer) 
where the partner has indicated his suit, there is 
a convention that the player shall lead the high- 
est of this suit, unless he has a plain side suit Ace 
King. In this instance, he shall begin by play- 
ing the King and then follow with the highest 
card in his partner's suit. This tells the partner 
where the ace is and that he can depend upon it 
for reentry. Without the outside Ace King, 
starting with the highest of the partner's suit 
is imperative. 

When the partner has not indicated a suit, 
lead from the strongest sequence. If there is 
none, then play the fourth highest card of the 
best suit. 

With a weak hand and three Trumps topped 
by a good honor a Singleton may be led, because 
otherwise if the Declarer starts Trumps the 



62 Complete Auction Bridge for IQ22 

chance of making anything by trumping is gone. 
As a rule, Initial leads of Singletons are un- 
sound. 

Any of the sequence leads in the accompany- 
ing "Trump Suit Game" table such as Ace 
King, King Queen, Queen Jack, etcetera, are 
conventional opening leads. 

If all of your plain suits are headed by Ten- 
aces or broken sequences, it may be better to 
lead Trumps. Tenaces are of great value when 
led up to, rarely so when played from, and the 
Trump play enables your partner to lead up to 
the weak suits in Dummy's hand. 

After the first trick the leads of the adver- 
saries are largely affected by the cards in Dum- 
my's hand, which is then exposed. 

Lead through strength and up to weakness is 
a good rule but is open to this modification. Do 
not lead through Dummy's high sequence suits 
like Ace King, King Queen, etcetera. Lead 
through his Tenaces and broken sequences or 
through single honors. 

Adversaries' Leads in a No Trumper 

In playing against a No Trump declaration 
the adversaries in the establishment of suits are 
governed by the same tactics as the Declarer, 
such as holding back reentry cards and avoiding 
blocking. Finessing need not be considered as 
the opponents of the Declarer do not finesse. 



Complete Auction Bridge for IQ22 63 

Discrimination must be used in leading high 
cards. Haste is not necessary. Unlike the 
Trump game, length in suits is valuable. There 
being no Trumps to fear it is advantageous to 
keep back the high cards for reentry, in case you 
do establish a suit, or are left with the best small 
cards in the Declarer's suit. 

If the partner has bid, the leader should play 
the highest card he has in the partner's suit. If 
he has not bid, he should open with the fourth 
best card in his own long suit. If he has two 
long suits he should select the stronger, unless 
he has bid it, his partner refusing support. 

High cards are only led when there are three 
honors or six or more cards in the suit. In es- 
tablishing this long suit effort should be made 
to keep some high cards in the short suits for 
reentry. 

The following tables show the conventional 
opening leads against Trump suit declarations 
and No Trump declarations: 

Opening Leads in a Trump Suit 

Ace, King, Queen, Jack King, follow with Jack 

Ace, King, Queen King, follow with Queen 

Ace, King, Jack King, follow with Ace 

Ace, King, x x King, follow with Ace 

Ace, King, x King, follow with Ace 

Ace, King Ace, follow with King 

Ace, XX Ace, follow with small 

Ace, X Ace, follow with small 



64 Complete Auction Bridge for IQ22 

Ace, Queen, Jack Ace, follow with Queen 

Ace, Queen x x Ace, follow with lowest 

Ace, Jack, Ten, x Ace, follow with Ten 

King, Queen, Jack .King 

King, Queen, Ten King 

King, Queen King 

King, Jack, Ten, x Jack 

King, Jack, x x x Fourth best 

King, Jack, x Lowest 

King, Ten, Nine, x Ten 

King, xxxx Fourth best 

King, x x Lowest 

Queen, Jack, Ten, x Queen 

Queen, Jack, Nine, x Queen 

Queen, Jack, x Queen 

Jack, Ten, x x Jack 

Queen, Jack, x x Queen 

Jack, Ten Jack 

Ten, Nine Ten 

Ten, Nine, x x Ten 



Opening Leads in a^NO Trumper 

HAVING HAVING NO 

REENTRY REENTRY 

Ace, King, Queen, x x King King 

Ace, King, Jack, Ten King Jack 

Ace, King, Jack, x King 4th best 

Ace, King, xxxx . King 4th best 

Ace, King, x x x 4th best 4th best 

Ace, King, x x 4th best 4th best 

Ace, Queen, Jack, x Queen Queen 

Ace, Queen, Jack, x x Ace Queen 

Ace, Jack, Ten, x x Jack Jack 

Ace, Jack, x x 4th best 4th best 

King, Queen, Jack, Ten King King 



Complete Auction Bridge for ig22 65 

King, Queen, Jack, x King King 

King, Queen, Ten, x King King 

King, Queen, x x x King 4th best 

King, Queen, x x 4th best 4th best 

King, Jack, Ten, x Jack Jack 

King, Jack, x x 4th best 4th best 

Queen, Jack, Ten, x Queen Queen 

Queen, Jack, x x 4th best 4th best 

Queen, Ten, Nine, x Ten Ten 

Jack, Ten, Nine, x Jack Jack 

Jack, Ten, x x 4th best 4th best 

Ten, Nine, Eigiit, x Ten Ten 

Deductions from Tables 

By studying these tables it will be observed 
whenever there is a sequence of Ace King or 
King Queen, the King is always led. If the 
sequence is Ace King Queen a follow with the 
Queen is' additional information for your 
partner. 

A lead of Ace followed by King indicates no 
more of the suit. Any other lead of an Ace de- 
nies having the King. 

Leading the Queen shows you have Queen 
Jack Ten, Queen Jack Nine or Queen Jack with 
one or more small. 

Leading the Jack indicates Jack Ten with or 
without small. 

Leading the Ten says you have the Nine with 
or without small. 

It will also be observed that a small card is 
never led from a three honor suit. 



66 Complete Auction Bridge for ig22 



FINESSING, THE DISCARD AND 
"FOURTH-BEST" 

The best illustrations of finessing cards are the 
Ace Queen which is called the Major Tenace, 
and the King Jack, which is called Minor Ten- 
ace. The Declarer having small cards plays up 
to Dummy's Tenace, with the hope that by fines- 
sing with the Queen he can make the lower as 
well as the higher card. If the intermediate 
card is on the right of the Dummy the finesse 
wins, if it is on the left it loses. The chances, of 
course, are even. 

If you have an opportunity to win game by 
finessing, do so, even if, by losing, your contract 
will be set. If winning a finesse does not give 
you game, then it is not wise to take the chance if 
you jeopardize your contract. 

There are other finessing card combinations 
in addition to those mentioned. Also, as the 
game progresses there are opportunities to finesse 
with cards even as low as Eight or Nine. The 
handling of these situations is best learned by 
experience. 

The bidding by the adversaries is also a guide 
in finessing, as it indicates the position of the 
high cards. 

There are many situations where finessing is 
unwise. For example: with Ace Queen in a 



Complete Auction Bridge for IQ22 67 

Trump suit game and the adversaries having a 
short suit, it is better to take with the Ace and 
lead Trumps. Play the high card if the adver- 
sary has an established suit and needs a lead. 
Also play the high card when you are afraid of 
being led through. 

There is one finessing situation of frequent 
occurrence that if successful often brings big re- 
sults. The Declarer has three small. Adversary 
on the left has King Jack Nine. Dummy has 
Ace Queen Ten. Declarer leads. Adversary 
on left plays Nine. Dummy finesses with Ten, 
which wins the trick. Dummy throws the lead 
back to Declarer, who leads another small. 
Dummy takes with Queen and then plays the 
Ace on which the adversary's King drops. Here 
are made three tricks which without the finesse 
might only have been one. 

It makes no difference if the Declarer or 
Dummy has the finessing hand. 

The Discard 

The general rule is that the discard in both 
Trump suit hands and No Trumps should be 
from weakness. But there are exceptions to it. 
Under usual conditions your first discard indi- 
cates that you do not want your partner to lead 
you that suit. Your second, if you have one, 
shows your next weakest suit. This enables 



68 Complete Auction Bridge for IQ22 

your partner to conclude pretty closely what 
your best suit is. 

Occasions arise, however, especially in No 
Trumpers, where you must not discard from 
your weak suit. For example, in an adverse suit 
a Jack guarded with three small or with a 
couple of honors out you have a guarded Ten. 
These must, if possible, be left intact, and you 
may have to discard from your strongest suit. 
In such a case you signal the fact to your partner 
by first throwing a higher card and following it 
with a lower. 

Fourth-Best Card and Eleven Rule 

Playing the "fourth-best" card referred to so 
often in the foregoing tables, is one of the best 
signaling leads. It means that the player has no 
sequence in the suit but that he has in his hand 
three cards higher than the one led. 

From this lead comes the '^Eleven Rule", the 
significance of which most players understand, 
but which is generally regarded as a mysterious 
but arbitrary dictum. 

The Rule of Eleven is the subtraction of the 
"fourth-best" card from eleven, the remainder 
being the number of cards higher than the 
"fourth-best" that are in the three hands outside 
of the leader's. 

For instance, the leader plays a seven. Sub- 
tract seven from eleven. The four remainder 



Complete Auction Bridge for IQ22 69 

show that there are four cards higher than the 
seven in the three hands other than the leader's. 
With the Dummy's hand exposed, the partner of 
the leader, by adding the cards he has higher 
than seven of the Dummy, and subtracting the 
total from four, knows how many cards above 
seven the Declarer has. He knows, too, pretty 
nearly what their denominations are, because the 
leader would not have played the ^'fourth-best" 
from a suit headed by a sequence. 

For example: say the Seven is led. In Dum- 
my's hand is Jack, Three. The leader's partner 
has Queen, Ten and Four. Subtract seven from 
eleven and there remains four cards higher than 
seven to be accounted for. Dummy has one, 
leader's partner has two, which leaves one card 
above seven for the Declarer's hand. That card 
is logically an Ace or King, because there is no 
Ace or King in Dummy's or partner's hand, and 
the leader would not have played ^'fourth-best" 
with an Ace King sequence. 

The puzzling thing about the "Eleven Rule" 
is that if the number of the "fourth-best" card is 
subtracted from the whole number of cards in 
a suit (that is 13), which seems the natural thing 
to do, the result counts one less than the three 
higher cards in the leader's hand plus the dif- 
ference between the "fourth-best" card and 
eleven. This is owing to the Ace, or One, being 



70 Complete Auction Bridge for IQ22 

considered as the highest instead of the lowest 
of a suit, which would make the suit count from 
2 to 14 instead of from i to 13. Deducting the 
"fourth-best" card from fourteen, leaves the cor- 
rect number of higher cards held by all four 
hands. 



Complete Auction Bridge for IQ22 Jl 

POINTS IN PLAYING 

Let your play give as much information to 
your partner as possible. In trying to deceive 
your adversaries you may deceive him also. 

Never finesse your partner's lead. 

Don't put adverse Dummy in a position to ruff. 
When he is out of a suit, play Trumps. 

Make any reasonable sacrifice to remove ad- 
verse Dummy's reentry where he has a long suit. 

The average No Trump contract always has 
game possibilities, unless the adversaries prompt- 
ly establish their suit. 

When your partner has bid two suits, lead 
from the one in which you are strongest. 

When the game is young count only an Ace 
or King as sure reentries. After several plays 
conditions are different. 

Avoid leading from a Tenace suit. 

If you play from an Ace King sequence and 
adverse Dummy has a guarded Queen do not 
follow the King with the Ace. 

Always calculate on average assistance from 
your partner. 

Force the strong hand but never the weak 
hand. 

Because your partner has doubled, do not 



72 Complete Auction Bridge for ig22 

take for granted that he wants the suit led. His 
strength may be in side suits. 

Don't open with a Singleton unless you have 
a Trump honor for reentry, so you can get in 
again to throw the lead to your partner with an- 
other suit. 

Never force your partner to bid two, when 
one will be sufficient. 



Complete Auction Bridge for IQZZ 73 

PART IV 

PROCEDURE, PENALTIES AND 

LAWS OF AUCTION 

BRIDGE 

Origin and Growth 

The procedure and laws in Auction Bridge 
now in use have been evolved from those of 
Whist and Bridge, with additions after the ele- 
ment of bidding was introduced into the game. 
The man responsible for the bidding was an 
English writer calling himself John Doe, who 
originated it some time around 1890. John Doe 
is better known, however, as the inventor of the 
best definition of a Sound One No Trump Bid; 
namely, ^'A Queen strength better than the aver- 
age hand, with three suits guarded." 

A little later the Bath Club of London took 
up Auction Bridge and gave it its first real im- 
petus. It was not until several years after that 
it was considered seriously in this country, and 
even then there was so great a difference of 
opinion regarding it as to cause a split in one of 
the most important of the American Clubs. 

At present the procedure and laws of Auction 
Bridge are the same in the American and 



74 Complete Auction Bridge for IQ22 

English Clubs, with the exception of a few minor 
points and the penalties in the Revoke and one 
or two violations of lesser importance. 

The procedure and laws which are here ap- 
pended are those generally accepted. Where 
there is difference of opinion the different views 
are given, along with the writer's reason for the 
selection made. 

We have been fortunate in having access to 
the Laws framed by the Card Committee of the 
Portland Club, with the cooperation of The 
Baldwin Club, The Bath, St. James's, The Turf 
and White's, of London, where, as above stated. 
Auction Bridge started. We are happy also to 
tender our thanks to Messrs. Thomas De la Rue 
& Co., London, E.C., for their kind permission 
to print verbatim extracts from these laws, 
which, whenever used, will be found with foot- 
note credits. 



Complete Auction Bridge for IQ22 75 

PROCEDURE, PENALTIES AND 

LAWS OF AUCTION 

BRIDGE 

Auction Bridge Defined 

1. Auction Bridge is a variation of the game of Whist, in 
which bidding decides whether the hand shall be played 
with or without a Trump, along with the privilege to the 
Declarer of playing both his own and his partner's hands. 

Fifty-Two Cards Used 

2. All the cards in the deck are used, the Deuce counting 
lowest and Ace highest. In playing it is optional whether 
one or two decks are used. If two they should have different 
backs. 

Cutting for Partners and Deal 

* 3. There are four players who cut for partners, the low- 
est two playing against the highest two. If cards of equal 
value are drawn the paired players must cut again. Lowest 
deals. Ace is lowest in cutting. All cutting must be from 
the same deck. Should a player expose more than one card, he 
must cut again. 

Rotation of the Deal 

4. After the first deal, all the other deals proceed by 
rotation to the left, each player dealing in his turn. The 
player on the right cuts the deck. Each of the four players 
receives thirteen cards. 



* When two players draw cards of the same denomination in cutting for 
partners or the deal, the English custom is for them to cut again. In the 
American Clubs in cutting. Spades is lowest, Hearts next, Diamonds third 
and Clubs highest. So that the three of Spades and the three of Hearts or 
Diamonds or Clubs being drawn, the three of Spades wins. We have adopted 
the English practice as less confusing. 



76 Complete Auction Bridge for ig22 

Points 

5. Points are made by tricks, bonuses and penalties. 

Four Cards a Trick 

6. A trick is made up of four cards, one from each player, 
who must follow suit if he can. The highest card takes the 
trick except when it is trumped. Any player, who has no 
card in the suit led, may, at his option, discard or Trump. 

A Book and Odd Tricks 

7. Six tricks constitute a book. All tricks above a book 
are called odd tricks. Only odd tricks have point value. 

No Trump and Suit Values 

8. The point value of odd tricks depends on whether 
there is a suit or a No Trump declaration. 

The No Trump value and suit values of the tricks are 
10 points in a No Trump declaration 
9 points in a Spade declaration 
8 points in a Heart declaration 
7 points in a Diamond declaration 
6 points in a Club declaration 
When the declaration is doubled the No Trump value and 
suit values of the tricks are 

20 points in a doubled No Trump declaration 
18 points in a doubled Spade declaration 
16 points in a doubled Heart declaration 
14 points in a doubled Diamond declaration 
12 points in a doubled Club declaration 
When the declaration is redoubled the No Trump value 
and suit values of the tricks are 

40 points in a redoubled No Trump declaration 
36 points in a redoubled Spade declaration 
32 points in a redoubled Heart declaration 



Complete Auction Bridge for ig22 77 

28 points in a redoubled Diamond declaration 
24 points in a redoubled Club declaration 

Value of Honors 

9. Honors consist of Ace, King, Queen, Jack and Ten 
of the Trump suit. In a No Trump they consist of 4 
Aces. The collective value of honors differs v^^hen held in 
the hand of one partner or in the hands of both partners. 
In a Trump suit declaration the value of the honors are 
regulated by the trick value of the suit. 

In a Trump Suit Hand 

3 honors held jointly equal value of 2 tricks 

4 honors held jointly equal value of 4 tricks 

5 honors held jointly equal value of 5 tricks 
4 honors in one hand equal value of 8 tricks 

4 honors in one hand fifth in partner's equal value of 
9 tricks 

5 honors in one hand equal value of 10 tricks 

In a No Trump Hand 

3 Aces held jointly count 30 

4 Aces held jointly count 40 
4 Aces in one hand count 100 

Honors are always counted for the side having them, 
w^hether the Declarer's or not. They are not affected by 
doubling or redoubling. 

Grand Slam and Small Slam 

10. When one side takes the v^rhole thirteen tricks it 
makes a Grand Slam, and a bonus of lOO is added to the 
honor score, in addition to the point value of the seven 
tricks in the trick score. When it takes twelve tricks, 50 
points are added to the honor score, in addition to the trick 
points in the trick score. This is called a Small Slam. 



yS Complete Auction Bridge for IQ22 

Trick and Honor Scores 

11. There Is a trick score and an honor score for each 
side. Only points for tricks go in the trick score. Points 
for honors, penalties and bonuses of all kinds, go in the 
honor score. Trick score points alone are counted for game. 

30 Points are Game 

12. The game consists of 30 points, obtained by trick 
values alone, but any trick points in excess of 30 are counted. 

The Rubber 

13. The rubber is the best of three games. If the first 
two are won by the same partners, the third is not played. 
The winner of the two games gets a bonus of 250 points, 
which goes in the honor score. 

14. At the conclusion of a rubber all the points in both 
trick and honor scores for each set of partners are added 
up, and the difference goes to the side which has the greatest 
number of points. Each of the winning partners gets the 
full amount of the points won, which is paid by each of the 
losers. 

*i5. When a rubber is started with the agreement that 
the play shall terminate (i.e. no new deal shall commence) 
at a specified time, and the rubber is then unfinished, the 
score is made up as it stands, 125 points being added to the 
score of the winners of a game. A deal, if started, must be 
finished. 

*i6. Bets on the result of a rubber are won by the win- 
ners on points. If the rubber is concluded under Law 15, 
bets made on the rubber are annulled. 



* From the Portland Club Laws, by kind permission of Messrs. Thomas De 
la Rue & Co., London, E. C. 



Complete Auction Bridge for ig22 79 

The Bidding or Declaration 

17. Whether the hand shall be played with a Trump or 
No Trump is decided by declaration or bidding. The 
Dealer has the first bid, and is followed in order by the 
players to his left. When nobody bids there is a new deal. 

18. It is optional with the players whether they bid 
Spades, Hearts, Diamonds, Clubs, No Trumps or pass. 
After any player makes a declaration the other three players 
have a say, and can overcall, double or pass, except that a 
player may not overbid his own declaration. 

19. When all players have finally passed the highest 
declaration stands. The player who started it plays both 
his own and his partner's hand, the latter being placed face 
upward on the table. The exposed hand is called the 
Dummy. It is not laid down until the first card is played. 

20. When a hand has been played through and the De- 
clarer makes his contract or better, he gets for his trick score 
the value of all the tricks made over and above the book. 
If he fails to make his contract, he gets nothing for the 
tricks he has made, while his adversaries get in the honor 
score as penalties, 50 points for each trick less than the 
declaration calls for. Or, if the declaration was doubled 
by an adversary, then the penalty is 100 points for each 
trick short of the contract, and if redoubled, 200 points for 
each deficient trick. 

*2i. If a player makes an illegal declaration, such as 
declaring an impossible number of tricks, the adversary on 
his left may demand a new deal, may treat such declaration 
as not made, or may permit it to stand. The player in error 
cannot be penalized for more than Grand Slam. (Note: 
This violation is not specified in all Auction rules.) 



* From the Portland Club Laws, by kind permission of Messrs. Thomas De 
la Rue & Co., London, E. C. 



8o Complete Auction Bridge for IQ22 

* 22. If a player makes a declaration (other than passing) 
out of turn, the adversary on his left may demand a new 
deal, or may allow the declaration so made to stand, or he 
may refer it to his partner, whose decision must be final. 
Should the declaration be allowed to stand, the bidding shall 
continue as if the declaration had been in order. 

* 23. If a player, in bidding, fail to declare a sufficient 
number of tricks to overbid the previous declaration, he shall 
be considered to have declared the requisite number of tricks 
in the bid which he has made, provided that the number of 
tricks shall not exceed seven; and his partner shall be de- 
barred from making any further declaration, unless either 
of his adversaries make a higher declaration or double. If, 
however, such insufficient declaration be accepted by the 
next player passing it, or doubling it, or by making a higher 
declaration, no rectification can be made. 

* 24. After the final declaration has been made, a player 
is not entitled to give his partner any information as to a pre- 
vious declaration, whether made by himself or by either ad- 
versary; but a player is entitled to inquire, at any time 
during the play of the hand, what was the final declaration. 

Doubling and Redoubling 

25. When an adversary doubles the Declarer, the latter, 
if he loses, pays a penalty of 100 points instead of 50 for 
each trick less than his contract. If the Declarer makes his 
contract, he gets double value for each trick called for by the 
contract, and in addition, a bonus of 50 points for making 
his contract. Also, for every trick he takes over his con- 
tract he gets an additional bonus of 50 points. 

26. If the Declarer redoubles, he gets, if he makes his 



* From the Portland Club Laws, by kind permission of Messrs. Thomas De 
la Rue & Co., London, E. C. 



Complete Auction Bridge for ig22 8i 

contract, lOO points bonus and four times the value of each 
contracted trick; while for every trick he makes above his 
contract he gets lOO points. If he fails to make his contract, 
his adversary scores 200 points for every trick less than the 
number called for by the contract. 

27. When a declaration is doubled, it is optional with 
the Declarer whether he will accept or change his declaration 
to a higher one. In the latter instance each of the other 
three players also has another say. 

28. The value of honors, Grand Slam and Small Slam, are 
not affected by redoubling. 

* 29. Any declaration can be doubled and redoubled once, 
but not more; a player cannot double his partner's declara- 
tion, or redouble his partner's double, but he may redouble 
a declaration of his partner's which has been doubled by his 
adversaries. 

* 30. If a player doubles out of his turn the adversary on 
his left may demand a new deal. 

fFORMATION OF TaBLE^ EnTRY AND ReENTRY 

31. If there are more than four candidates, the players 
are selected by cutting, the first six in the room having the 
right of belonging to the table, which is complete with six 
players. The candidates who cut the next lowest cards have 
a prior right to any after-comer to enter the table. 

32. The four who cut the lowest cards play the first 
rubber; they cut again for partners, and the two lowest 
play against the two highest. The player cutting the lowest 
card deals first, and has choice of cards and seats, and, having 
once made his selection, must abide by it. 



* From the Portland Club Laws, by kind permission of Messrs. Thomas De 
la Rue & Co., London, E. C. 

t This classification is taken from Portland Club Laws, by permission 
of Messrs. Thomas De la Rue & Co., London, E. C. 



82 Complete Auction Bridge for IQ22 

33. At the end of a rubber, should admission be claimed 
by one or two candidates, the player who has, or the players 
who have, played a greater number of consecutive rubbers 
than the others is, or are, out; but when all have played 
the same number, they must cut to decide upon the out- 
goers; the highest are out. 

34. A candidate, whether he has played or not, can join 
a table which is not complete by declaring in at any time 
prior to any of the players having cut a card, either for the 
purpose of commencing a fresh rubber or of cutting out. 

35. Any one quitting a table prior to the conclusion of a 
rubber may, with consent of the other three players, appoint 
a substitute in his absence during that rubber. 

* Shuffling 

36. The pack must neither be shuffled below the table 
nor so that the face of any card can be seen. 

37. The pack must not be shuffled during the play of 
the hand. 

38. A pack, having been played with, must neither be 
shuffled by dealing it into packs, nor across the table. 

39. Each player has a right to shuffle once only (except as 
provided by Law 42) prior to a deal, after a false cut, or 
when a new deal has occurred. 

40. The dealer's partner must collect the cards for the 
ensuing deal, and has the first right to shuffle that pack. 

41. Each player, after shuffling, must place the cards, 
properly collected and face downwards, to the left of the 
player about to deal. 

42. The dealer has always the right to shuffle last; but 
should a card or cards be seen during his shuffling, or whilst 
giving the pack to be cut, he may be compelled to re-shuffle. 



* This classification is taken from the Portland Club Laws, by permission 
of Messrs. Thomas De la Rue & Co., London, E. C. 



Complete Auction Bridge for IQ22 83 

* Laws Governing Dealing 

43. Each player deals in his turn; the order of dealing 
goes to the left. 

44. The player on the dealer's right cuts the pack, and, 
in dividing it, must not leave fewer than four cards in either 
packet; if in cutting, or in replacing one of the two packets 
on the other, a card be exposed, or if there be any confusion 
of the cards or a doubt as to the exact place in which the 
pack was divided, there must be a fresh cut. 

45. When a player, whose duty it is to cut, has once sep- 
arated the pack, he cannot alter his cut; moreover, he can 
neither re-shuffle nor re-cut the cards. 

46. After the pack has been cut, should the dealer shuffle 
the cards, the pack must be cut again. 

47. The fifty-two cards shall be dealt face downwards. 
The deal is not completed until the last card has been dealt 
face downwards. 

48. There must be a new deal — 

I. If, during a deal, or during the play of a hand, the pack be 
proved to be incorrect or imperfect; 

II. If, during a deal, any card be faced in the pack, or in any 
way exposed on, above, or below the table; 

III. Unless the cards are dealt into four packets, one at a time 
and in regular rotation, beginning at the player to the dealer's left; 

IV. Should the last card not come in its regular order to the 
dealer; 

V. Should a player have more than thirteen cards, and any one 
or more of the others, less than thirteen cards; 

VI. Should the dealer deal two cards at once, or two cards to the 
same hand, and then deal a third; but if, prior to dealing that card, 
the dealer can, by altering the position of one card only, rectify such 
error, he may do so; 

VII. Should the dealer omit to have the pack cut to him, and the 
adversaries discover the error prior to the last card being dealt, and 
before looking at their cards, 

* This classification is taken from the Portland Club Laws, by permission 
of Messrs. Thomas De la Rue & Co., London, E. C. 



84 Complete Auction Bridge for IQ22 

49. A player may not look at any of his cards until the 
deal has been completed; should he do so, and a card be 
afterwards exposed, the adversary on his left shall have the 
option of allowing the deal to stand or not. 

50. If the dealer, before he has dealt fifty-one cards, look 
at any card, his adversaries have a right to see it, and may 
exact a new deal. 

51. Should three players have their right number of 
cards, and the fourth have less than thirteen, and not dis- 
cover such deficiency until he has played any of his cards, 
the deal stands good; should he have played, he is answer- 
able for any revoke he may have made, as if the missing card, 
or cards, had been in his hand ; he may search the other pack 
for it, or them. 

52. If a pack during or after a rubber, be proved incor- 
rect, or imperfect, such proof does not alter any past score, 
game, or rubber; that hand in which the imperfection was 
detected is null and void, and the dealer must deal again. 

53. Any one dealing out of turn, or with the adversaries' 
cards, may be stopped before the last card is dealt, otherwise 
the deal stands good, and the game must proceed as if no 
mistake has been made. 

54. A player can neither shuffle, cut, nor deal for his 
partner without the permission of his opponents. 

* The Dummy 

55. As soon as a card is led by the eldest hand, i.e., the 
player on the left of the Declarer, the Declarer's partner 
shall place his cards face upwards on the table, and the duty 
of playing the cards from that hand, which is called Dummy, 
and of claiming and enforcing any penalties arising during 
the hand, shall devolve upon the Declarer, unassisted by his 
partner. 



* This classification is taken from the Portland Club Laws, by permission 
)f Messrs. Thomas De la Rue & Co., London, E. C. 



Complete Auction Bridge for ig22 85 

56. Before placing his cards upon the table, the Declarer's 
partner has all the rights of a player, but after so doing shall 
take no part whatever in the play, except that he has the 
right: — 

I. To ask the Declarer whether he has any of a suit which he may 
have renounced; 

II. To call the Declarer's attention to the fact that too many or 
too few cards have been played to a trick; 

III. To correct the claim of either adversary to a penalty to which 
the latter is entitled; 

IV. To call attention to the fact that a trick has been wrongly 
gathered by either side; 

V. To participate In the discussion of any disputed question of 
fact, or of law; 

VI. To correct an erroneous score. 

If he call attention to any other incident in the play of 
the hand, in respect of vi^hich any penalty might be exacted, 
the fact that he has done so shall deprive the Declarer of 
the right of exacting such penalty against his adversaries. 

57. If the Declarer's partner, by touching a card, or 
otherv^^ise, suggest the play of a card from Dummy, either of 
the adversaries may, but without consulting with his part- 
ner, call upon the Declarer to play or not to play the card 
suggested. 

58. If the Declarer's partner call the attention of the 
Declarer to the fact that he is about to lead from the wrong 
hand, the adversary on the left of the Declax^r may require 
that the lead be made from that hand. 

59. When the Declarer draws a card, either from his 
own hand or from Dummy, such card is not considered as 
played until actually quitted. 

60. A card once played, or named by the Declarer as to 
be played from his own hand or from Dummy, cannot be 
taken back, except to save a revoke. 

61. The Declarer's partner may not look over his adver- 
saries' hands, nor leave his seat for the purpose of watching 
his partner's play. 



86 Complete Auction Bridge for IQ22 

62. Dummy is not liable to any penalty for a revoke, as 
his adversaries see his cards. Should he revoke, and the 
error not be discovered until the trick is turned and quitted, 
the trick stands good. 

63. The Declarer is not liable to any penalty for an error 
whence he can gain no advantage. Thus, he may expose 
some, or all of his cards, without incurring any penalty. 

* Cards Exposed^ Called and Played in Error 

64. If all the cards have been dealt, and before the final 
declaration has been made, any player expose a card from 
his hand, the adversary on his left may demand a new deal. 
If the deal be allowed to stand, the exposed card may be 
taken up and cannot be called. 

65. If, after the final declaration has been made, and 
before a card is led, the partner of the player who has to 
lead to the first trick exposes a card from his hand, the 
Declarer may, instead of calling the card, require the leader 
not to lead the suit of the exposed card. 

66. All cards exposed by the Declarer's adversaries are 
liable to be called, and must be left face upwards on the 
table; but a card is not an exposed card when dropped on 
the floor, or elsewhere below the table. 

67. The following are exposed cards: — 

I. Two or more cards played at once; 

II. Any card dropped with its face upwards, or In any way ex- 
posed on or above the table, even though snatched up so quickly that 
no one can name it. 

68. If either of the Declarer's adversaries play to an im- 
perfect trick the best card on the table, or lead one which 
is a winning card as against the Declarer and his partner, 
and then lead again, without waiting for his partner to play, 
or play several such winning cards, one after the other, with- 



* This classification is taken from the Portland Club Laws, by permission 
of Messrs. Thomas De la Rue & Co., London, E. C. 



Complete Auction Bridge for IQ22 87 

out waiting for his partner to play, the latter may be called 
on to win, if he can, the first or any other of those tricks, 
and the other cards thus improperly played are exposed cards. 

69. Should the Declarer indicate that all or any of the 
remaining tricks are his, he may be required to place his 
cards face upwards on the table; but they cannot be called. 
The Declarer is not then allowed to call any cards which 
his adversaries may have exposed, nor to take any finesse 
unless he announces it when making his claim. 

70. If either of the Declarer's adversaries throws his 
cards on the table face upwards, such cards are exposed, and 
liable to be called by the Declarer. 

71. If all the plaj^ers throw their cards on the table face 
upwards, the hands are abandoned, and the score must be 
left as claimed and admitted. The hands may be examined 
for the purpose of establishing a revoke, but for no other 
purpose. 

72. A card detached from the rest of the hand of either 
of the Declarer's adversaries, so as to be named, is liable to 
be called; but should the declarer name a wrong card, he 
is liable to have a suit called when first he or his partner 
have the lead. 

73. If a player, who has rendered himself liable to have 
the highest or lowest of a suit called, or to win or not to 
win a trick, fail to play as desired, though able to do so, or 
if when called on to lead one suit, lead another, having in 
his hand one or more cards of that suit demanded, he incurs 
the penalty of a revoke. 

74. If either of the Declarer's adversaries lead out of 
turn, the Declarer may call a suit from him or his partner 
when it is next the turn of either of them to lead, or may 
call the card erroneously led. 

75. If the Declarer lead out of turn, either from his own 
hand or from Dummy, he incurs no penalty; but he may 



88 Complete Auction Bridge for IQ22 

not rectify the error after the second hand has played, unless 
called upon by either adversary to do so. 

76. If any player led out of turn, and the other three have 
followed him, the trick is complete, and the error cannot 
be rectified; but if only the second, or the second and third, 
have played to the false lead, their cards, on discovery of the 
mistake, can be taken back; and there is no penalty against 
any one, excepting the original offender, and then only when 
he is one of the Declarer's adversaries. 

77. In no case can a player be compelled to play a card 
which would oblige him to revoke. 

78. The call of a card may be repeated until such card 
has been played. 

79. If a player called on to lead a suit have none of it, 
the penalty is paid. 

80. Should the fourth hand play before the second, the 
latter (not being Dummy or his partner) may be called on 
to win, or not to win, the trick, or to discard from a suit 
specified by the Declarer (subject to Law 77). 

81. If any one (not being Dummy) omit playing to a 
former trick, and such error be not discovered until he has 
played to the next, the adversaries may claim a new deal; 
should they decide that the deal stands good, or should 
Dummy have omitted to play to a former trick, and such 
error be not discovered till he shall have played to the next, 
the surplus card at the end of the hand is considered to have 
been played to the imperfect trick, but does not constitute a 
revoke therein. 

82. If any one play two cards to the same trick, or mix 
a card with a trick to which it does not properly belong, 
and the mistake be not discovered until the hand is played 
out, he (not being Dummy) is answerable for all conse- 
quent revokes he may have made. If, during the play of 
the hand, the error be detected, the tricks may be counted 



Complete Auction Bridge for ig22 89 

face downwards, in order to ascertain whether there be 
among them a card too many: should this be the case they 
may be searched, and the card restored; the player (not 
being Dummy) is, however, liable for all revokes which he 
may have meanwhile made. 

The Revoke 

83. A revoke is where a player fails to follow suit while 
holding in his hand one or more cards of the suit led. 

I. The penalty for each revoke by the Declarer is 150 points to 
be added to the adversaries' honor score, in addition to any other 
penalty or penalties incurred for failure to complete his contract; 

II. Should the adversary revoke the dealer may add 150 points 
to his honor score or may take three tricks from the adversaries' and 
count them in his own score in the instance of winning his contract. 

(Note. There is difference of opinion about the penalty for revoking. The 
Laws of the Portland Club fix the penalty at 150 points, which impresses us 
as entirely right, and we consequently give it. However, this penalty some 
years ago was reduced to 100 points, and again in 1920, the Whist Club of 
New York cut down the point penalty to 50, and the trick penalty fronj three 
to two, giving as its reason that this lesser penalty "more nearly fits the 
offense." Many players differ strongly from this contention, because it is 
admitted that nothing is so confusing and disorganizing as a revoke, especially 
when it slips through. Our view is that there should be as heavy a penalty 
as can be reasonably inflicted to curb carelessness alone, to say nothing of 
intentional revoking. Since in various places 150, 100 and SO are regarded 
as revoking penalties, it might be well, in gatherings where the players are 
promiscuous, to settle this point by agreement after the table is formed.) 

84. Only honors can be scored in the hands of the side 
revoking. 

* 85. A revoke is established, if the trick in which it 
occurs has been turned and quitted — i.e., the hand removed 
from that trick after it has been turned face downwards on 
the table — or if either the revoking player or his partner, 
whether in his right turn or othewise, lead or play to the 
following trick. 

* 86. A player may ask his partner whether he has not a 
card of the suit which he has renounced ; should the question 



* From the Portland Club Laws, by kind permission of Messrs. Thomas 
De la Rue & Co., London, E. C. 



90 Complete Auction Bridge for IQ22 

be asked before the trick is turned and quitted, subsequent 
turning and quitting does not establish the revoke, and the 
error may be corrected, unless the question be answered in 
the negative, or unless the revoking player or his partner 
have led or played to the follow^ing trick. 

* 87. At the end of the hand, the claimants of a revoke 
may search all the tricks. 

* 88. If a player discover his mistake in time to save a 
revoke, any player or players who have played after him may 
withdraw their cards and substitute others, and their cards 
withdrawn are not liable to be called. If the player in fault 
be one of the Declarer's adversaries, the Declarer may call 
the card thus played in error, or may require him to play his 
highest or lowest card to that trick in which he has renounced. 

* 89. If the player in fault be the Declarer, the eldest 
hand may require him to play the highest or lowest card of 
the si\it in which he has renounced, provided both of the 
Declarer's adversaries have played to the current trick; but 
this penalty cannot be exacted from the Declarer when he 
is fourth in hand, nor can it be enforced at all from Dummy. 

* 90. After a revoke has been claimed, if the accused 
player or his partner mix the cards before they have been 
sufficiently examined by the adversaries the revoke is 
established. 

*9i. A revoke cannot be claimed after the cards have 
been cut for the following deal. 

General Rules 

* 92. Any one during the play of a trick, or after the 
four cards are played, and before, but not after, they are 
touched for the purpose of gathering them together, may 
demand that the cards be placed before their respective 
players. 



* From the Portland Club Laws, by kind permission of Messrs. Thomas 
De la Rue & Co., London, E. C. 



Complete Auction Bridge for IQ22 91 

* 93. If either of the Declarer's adversaries, prior to his 
partner playing, should call attention to the trick — either by 
saying that it is his, or by naming his card, or without being 
required so to do, by drawing it towards him — the Declarer 
may require that opponent's partner to play his highest or 
lowest of the suit then led, or to win or not to win the trick. 

* 94. If a bystander make any remark which calls the at- 
tention of a player or players to an oversight affecting the 
score, he is liable to be called on, by the players only, to pay 
the stakes and all bets on that game or rubber. 

*95. Any player (on paying for them) before, but not 
after the pack be cut for the deal, may call for fresh cards. 
He must call for two new packs, of which the dealer takes 
his choice. 

96. A player may not lift from the table and look at any 
of his cards until the end of a deal, under penalty of 25 
points for every card looked at. 

* 97. A bystander, by agreement among the players, may 
decide any question. 

* 98. A card or cards torn or marked must be either 
replaced by agreement, or new cards called at the expense 
of the table. 

99. After a trick has been turned down it may not be 
looked at (except under Law 82) until the end of the game 
under penalty of 25 points for each offense. 



* From the Portland Club Laws, by kind permission of Messrs, Thomas 
De la Rue & Co., London, E. C. 



92 Complete Auction Bridge for IQ22 

AUCTION BRIDGE TERMS 
USED IN THIS BOOK 

An Assist is where a player raises the number of tricks 
in a suit bid by his partner. It is also called a supporting bid. 

Blank Suit means no cards in any one suit. 

Blocking is where there is an obstructing winning card 
in a partner's or adversary's short suit. 

Bust or Yarborough is a hand having no Aces or face 
cards, and which is practically incapable of taking a trick. 

Convention is a fixed rule in bridge for bidding or play 
adopted through general approval and experience. 

Ducking — Not taking a trick though able to do so. 

Doubleton is holding two of a suit only. 

Established Suit — A suit in which the holder can take 
every trick. 

Freak Hands are those in which are unusually long suits 
or extraordinary combinations. 

A Guarded Honor is one protected by small cards, such 
as King with one small, Queen with two small. Jack with 
three small. 

Love is where there is nothing in trick score. 

Pass is to refuse to bid, overcall or double. 

Plain Suits are those not Trumps, where there is a suit 
declaration. 

Preemptive Bid — A high free bid made to prevent the 
adversaries' bidding; a shut-out. 

Quick Tricks are sure tricks. 



Complete Auction Bridge for IQ22 93 

Reentry is a winning card to insure the holder a future 
lead. 

Rescue is taking partner out of a declaration which looks 
disastrous. It is the same as a take-out. 

RufHng or Cross Ruffing is trumping plain suit leads. 

Secondary Bid is a declaration on the second round 
after the player has passed in the first round. 

Set is to defeat an adversary's contract. 

Shift is where the bidder changes his own or partner's 
bid to a different suit or No Trump. 

Side Suit is any suit not Trumps. 

Singleton is a one card suit. 

Solid Suit — ^A suit with a long sequence headed by the 
Ace, which is good for three or four consecutive tricks. 

Tenace is the first and third or the second and fourth- 
best of a suit, like Ace Queen or King Jack. 



FINIS 



